The Valley Where They Danced
The Valley Where They Danced is a meticulously researched play set in the rural North Georgia foothills shortly after World War I—a time and place where scars from the Great War and worldwide flu pandemic are still fresh, and in many cases, visible.
The play port...Full description
- Get More Info
- In the News
- In the News
- In the News
- Schedule Performance
- “I am from the Midwest, and it was not until I had the privilege of directing “The Valley Where They Danced” that I truly understood this portion of Georgia history. Rarely does a director get to work with the playwright in rehearsals, however I was fortunate to have Emory Jones (playwright) and Kathy Blandin (dramaturge) by my side helping me create a piece of theatre that I will always hold close to my heart. Trust me—this one is special. If you have the opportunity to see or produce this play, you won’t regret it.”—Bill Gabelhausen, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Associate Professor of Theatre, Piedmont College
- “I would like to express my gratitude to Emory Jones for writing this play. This was my first time working as Assistant Director for Emory's play “The Valley where they Danced.” This powerful play has history, family gatherings, young love, song and so much more. It was a joy watching the play come to life. I recommend that when you have the chance, experience this powerful story for yourself.”—Donna Redfeather, Women of Heart, Singer/Song writer, Native American Music award nominee/winners
Full Description
The Valley Where They Danced is a meticulously researched play set in the rural North Georgia foothills shortly after World War I—a time and place where scars from the Great War and worldwide flu pandemic are still fresh, and in many cases, visible.
The play portrays the sweetness of two young lovers, the idealistic Dr. Tom Garrison from Macon, Georgia, and the beautiful Lenore Conley from the Sautee Valley.
It presents a world as it surely existed in 1919, where passions and jealousies run deep, and good choices lead to romance, and bad ones set the stage for a twist of an ending at Georgia’s Tallulah Gorge.
The first white settlers heard the tragic tale of a Cherokee chief’s daughter, Nacoochee, and her great love, Sautee, a handsome Chickasaw brave from an enemy tribe. In uncanny similarity, Tom and Lenore eerily follow in the footsteps of those two ancient lovers a thousand years later.
The Valley Where They Danced is written by Emory Jones, a natural born storyteller and accomplished writer. Jones weaves real history with fiction to create a wonderfully entertaining tale.
A product of these hills himself, Jones knows the language of the Georgia mountain people. He uses their colorful voice to tell a magnificent tale about love, conflict and survival in a bygone era.
If your school or theatre group would like to schedule a performance of The Valley Where They Danced, email emory@emoryjonesllc.com.
Cast of Characters for The Valley Where They Danced
- Kelvin Boggs—27-year-old reporter
- Old Hannah Conley—97-year-old woman
- Lenore Conley—girl about 18
- Young Hannah Conley—woman about 24
- Dr. Tom Garrison—man about 24
- Alton Boggs—man about 27
- Dr. David Dyer—man about 63
- Middle-aged Dr. Dyer—man about 49
- Odell Stovall—man about 26
- Ray Garrison—man about 26
- Middle-aged Lanier Conley—man about 50
- Young Lanier Conley—man about 35
- Middle-Aged Hannah Conley—woman about 40
- Fannie Stover—woman about 50
- Child Lenore Conley—girl about 4
Note: The play can be produced with only nine actors assuming young and old roles are duplicated. An ensemble can be added to expand several scenes.
